Toddler Buys First Car On eBay, Dad Learns A Valuable Lesson [Video]

Paul Stoute said he got a notice from eBay congratulating him on his purchase. He was now the proud owner of a 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite with a total cost of $225.

While this purchase was a shock to Stoute, what was an even bigger shock was the fact that his daughter, just a year old, was the one who actually purchased the car.

Fox 12 Oregon reported Stoute had been looking at cars on eBay with the idea of taking on a rebuilding project with a friend.

The Oregon father had left his smartphone unattended and unlocked when his daughter inadvertently opened his eBay app, according to local news reports. A few clicks later and the toddler bought a car on eBay according to the Huffington Post.

“Fortunately, she didn’t buy the $38,000 Porsche,” he said.

Also fortunate is that the Sprite was located in Tualatin. It’s now being stored in Milwaukie and is very much a fixer-upper. The eBay ad listed it as a “Frankensprite.”

“It comes with two engines,” said Christina Stoute, Sorella’s mother. “They’re both in the back seat.”

It’s not completely surprising that a young toddler would be savvy enough to work their parent’s smartphones.

Smart technology is becoming a daily part of a child’s life, both at home and in schools.

Researchers have been studying the effects of technology on children at all ages.

The Stoute’s are now hoping to take the eBay mistake and turn it into a funny memory for them to later share with their daughter when she gets older.

The eBay seller offered to contact the other bidders, but the Stoutes decided to keep the car, and he plans to fix it up.

It may serve as a sweet 16 birthday present or a gift for her high school graduation.

The toddler’s father has sense learned a very valuable lesson in keeping his smartphone locked and out of the way of his little shopper.

Huffington Post reported that the parents of little Sorella have added password protection to their phones, and uninstalled any apps that can be used to make a purchase so the toddler who bought her first car can’t go making other purchases.